Jiutian Sect.
“Immortal Venerable, this disciple is incompetent. I was unable to find the land of the yaos, but I overheard a very useful piece of news.”
“Speak.”
“The young master of the yao clan left the yao world a year ago and went to the human world. They might have even infiltrated a sect.”
Bu Ting looked at the disciple who had replied, his eyebrows twitching slightly. “Where did you get this news?”
“A minor yao was committing evil deeds in the mortal realm. After being discovered by its fellow clansmen, it was afraid of being hunted down by the yao clan, so it hid in a human city. We happened to encounter it selling fake medicine to deceive people when we went out this time, so we captured it.” The disciple explained, “This yao is greedy and cowardly by nature. In order to save its life, it told us everything it knew.”
“Where is it now?“carpreads.pages.dev
“The disciple has already escorted it back to the sect. Immortal Venerable, do you want to interrogate it?”
Bu Ting nodded slightly. “Invite the Elders over as well.”
The Elders who were not in seclusion were invited to the main hall. They looked at the yao kneeling on the ground, not quite understanding why Bu Ting had called them over.
“Is it true that the young master of the yao world has infiltrated the human world?” Bu Ting sat high on the throne of the sect master, looking down at the ugly yao on the ground.
“I wouldn’t dare to lie, this matter is absolutely true.” Being stared at by so many high-level immortal cultivators, the demon trembled like a sieve: “The young master of the yao clan acts extremely domineering and arrogant, the entire yao clan is very afraid of her* when they see her. It is rumored that even if a cute iron-eating beast cub passes by her, she will give it two slaps.”
TN: the her/him/it in Chinese all have the same sound, ta, so it’s not obvious here that the Yao Young Master is a woman.
“Get to the point.” Bu Ting interrupted his useless description of the young master of the yao. “Where is the yao territory hidden?”
“I don’t know,” the yao said, afraid of upsetting the immortal cultivators. It quickly explained, “To enter the land of the yaos, one must have a yao token. Many yaos live in the land of the yaos since birth and have never left. If a yao becomes enlightened and cultivates outside the land of the yaos, it cannot be accepted by the yaos if it commits evil deeds.”
“In that case, the yaos don’t seem to have any intention of harming the human race.” An Elder nodded in satisfaction. “No wonder there have been fewer yaos committing evil deeds outside in recent years.”
Bu Ting pressed, “Since you can’t enter the yao territory, how do you know about the young master of the yao ?”
“I ran into a yao from the yao clan a few days ago and heard it from him.” The yao deeply regretted, “If I hadn’t cheated that yao out of his money, I wouldn’t have been hunted down by my clan.”
The Elders finally understood that this yao not only did evil in the human world, but also cheated the yao clan out of money.
The Grand Elder asked, “Is the young master of the yao clan male or female? What is their cultivation level and background?”
“Lineage is something that a lowly little monster like me wouldn’t be able to know.” The monster quickly forced out a flattering smile. “I only know that the young master is a woman with profound cultivation. The young masters of other clans are no match for her. Rumor has it that her appearance is so shockingly ugly that it can stop the crying of monster children at night.”
“If she were really so ugly, wouldn’t she easily attract attention when she goes out?” The Grand Elder didn’t believe this. “You little yao, don’t make up such absurd lies.”
“I’m not lying, many yaos say the same thing.” The yao spoke anxiously. He had to provide valuable information if he wanted to save his life. “Whenever the young master of the yao clan appears, all yaos panic and hide. This is common knowledge among the yao clan. May I be struck by lightning if I’m lying.”
“The yaos have been keeping a low profile these past few years, but last year, their young master infiltrated the mortal realm.” The Grand Elder recalled the prophecy from last year at Zhenxing Tower about the impending catastrophe. Could the yaos have come because of this prophecy?
“In this vast sea of people, where can we find this young master of the yao clan?” The other Elders also had all sorts of guesses.
“If the young master of the yao clan wants to obtain useful information, she will definitely infiltrate the disciples of the major sects.” Bu Ting raised his hand to stop the crowd’s discussion. “Let’s start with the major sects. The young master of the demon clan has a noble status, so she definitely won’t be able to bear staying in a weak sect.”
The Elders all nodded in agreement. “The Sect Master is right. Such an arrogant and domineering Young Master who makes all the yaos fear her would definitely not be willing to suffer any grievances in a small sect.”
“Zhi You, Zhi You, there’s a wedding up ahead. Let’s go grab some wedding candies!” Jiu Hui and Zhi You had just entered Tianhe City when they saw a wedding procession passing by. They quickly pulled Zhi You into the crowd to join in the fun and joy.
She had a wealth of experience in grabbing wedding candies, so she quickly grabbed a handful of them. Because she looked adorable, the wedding guest even gave her an extra red envelope.
Although there were only twelve coins in the red envelope, who would dislike adorable little coins?
Jiu Hui uttered several words of blessing, then pulled Zhi You out of the crowd. She bought two rice cakes from a nearby stall with the twelve coins and they each held one to eat.
“So delicious.” Jiu Hui’s eyes widened as she dragged Zhi You back to the sugar cake stall. “Boss, give me two more.”
“Alright.” The boss fished the deep-fried dough out of the oil, wrapped it in a lotus leaf, and handed it to Jiu Hui. “Judging from your accent, you’re not from our Tianhe City, are you?”
“Boss, your ears are really sharp.” Jiu Hui paid and took a big bite of the sugar cake. “But your craftsmanship is even sharper.”
Who among those who make a living selling food doesn’t like to be complimented by diners on their good cooking?
The boss beamed with pride at Jiu Hui’s praise. “This is my family’s secret recipe. Everyone who tries it loves it.” She deftly flipped the sugar cakes in the oil. “Are you visiting relatives or friends in Tianhe City, miss?”
“I have some business that requires me to pass through this place, and a friend asked me to deliver a letter for him.” Jiu Hui smiled ingratiatingly at the boss. “Boss, do you know where the Luo family lives in the city? They make tofu.”
“My friend has been away from home for decades and can’t quite remember which street Luo Laoqi lived on. He only remembers that Luo Laoqi’s family made tofu, and their tofu was quite famous.”
If a strange, burly man were to ask about the local residents, most people would try to conceal their true intentions before understanding the other party’s purpose. However, when the one asking the question is a pleasant-looking young girl, most people would subconsciously lower their guard.
Without hesitation, the proprietress said, “I know, I know. But Luo Laoqi has been sick these past few days, so his son and daughter-in-law are selling the tofu. Their tofu stall is on Wutong Street. You can go there and ask.”
“Thank you, Boss. You’ve done me a great favor. I wonder if they have any children?” Jiu Hui asked. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go empty-handed. If they have children, could you please make me some more fried dough twists? I’ll buy some dried fruit to take with me as well, so I won’t be rude.”
“Yes, yes, yes, Luo Laoqi’s family has a grandson who’s seven or eight years old.” The boss fried a few more sugar cakes and sold them to Jiu Hui.
Jiu Hui received news about Shiyi’s family and the boss had made money selling sugar cakes, and everyone was very satisfied.
Walking away from the candy stall, Jiu Hui whispered to Zhi You, “Have you learned how to ask ordinary people for information?”
Zhi You pondered for a moment. “An exchange of benefits?”
“This small transaction doesn’t count as an exchange of interests.” Jiu Hui shook her finger. “First, confirm the other party’s ability to settle down and make a living, then support them with practical actions. That’s the quickest way to lower their guard.”
“Everyone are all ordinary people struggling to survive in this mundane world. A simple affirmation from others can bring us immense joy.” Jiu Hui used a handkerchief to wipe away the sugar frosting from the corner of her mouth. “Although benefits are tempting, emotions can also stir one’s heart.”
“But the sugar cakes that the boss fried are really delicious.” Jiu Hui touched her stomach. “Next time we come, let’s buy more and bring them back in a food box for the villagers to try.”
“Alright.” Zhi You looked back at the candy stall, emotions could also stir one’s heart?
The two of them asked for directions to Wutong Street and found a middle-aged couple at a tofu stall. The tofu had already been sold out, but their faces were somewhat distressed, and there was not a trace of a smile on their faces.
When Jiu Hui and Zhi You arrived at their stall, the woman forced a smile. “Miss, young gentleman, we’ve sold out of tofu. Please come back tomorrow.”
“We’re not buying tofu.” Jiu Hui shook her head. “I’m here to deliver a letter for a friend.”
“A letter?” The woman turned her head in confusion to look at her husband. Their family had lived in Tianhe City for generations, so who would be sending them a letter?
The middle-aged man looked at the well-dressed man and woman with vigilance. “Who are you? Who are you delivering the letter for, and to whom?”
“I’m delivering a letter for Shiyi. The recipients are Luo Qi and Wu Zhen.” Jiu Hui took out a letter from her storage ring and handed it to the middle-aged man.
However, the man and woman ignored the letter. When they saw Jiu Hui take out a letter from the void, they apologized repeatedly, “We didn’t know you were an immortal, and we offended you a lot. Please forgive us.”
“Get up.” Seeing their cautious appearance, Jiu Hui reached out to help the terrified woman. “Are Luo Qi and Wu Zhen your relatives?”
“In reply to the immortal, it is those are the names of my parents.” The man had studied for a few years, and he dared to glance at the envelope. Seeing that his parents’ names were indeed written on it, he couldn’t help but ask, “Immortal, may I ask who this ‘Shiyi’ is?”
Jiu Hui looked at the middle-aged man and sighed softly, “How old are you this year?”
“I’m… I’m thirty-one.” The man didn’t know why Jiu Hui would ask such a question. He glanced at Jiu Hui timidly, not daring to say a word more.
“Let’s go.” Jiu Hui put the letter back into her storage ring. “Your parents should still remember who Shiyi is.”
The couple did not dare to refuse, so they obediently took Jiu Hui and Zhi You back to their home.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, Jiu Hui smelled the bitter scent of medicine.
The man explained timidly, “Immortal, my father has fallen ill and is recuperating at home.”
“Woof woof woof woof woof!”
A dog barked from inside the house, and soon a big yellow dog rushed out of the house. Halfway through its rush, its whole body suddenly stiffened, and even its dog legs, which were in the air, paused in mid-air.
“Oh, isn’t this Dahuang?” Jiu Hui chuckled as she looked at the stiff big yellow dog. “You’ve grown quite a bit in a year. Come here, come here, come here, come here.”
“Ugh…” Dahuang hobbled forward, taking one slow step at a time until it reached Jiu Hui. It collapsed to the ground, its four limbs sprawled out in a difficult prostration pose.
The couple saw how obedient their dog was and thought that the immortal’s demeanor had shocked it. They couldn’t help but sigh in their hearts, “As expected of an immortal. Even our dog respects them so much.”
“It seems like the little one has been well taken care of by you, look at all this fat.” Jiu Hui rubbed the dog’s head and said to it, “I’m here to find Luo Laoqi, to deliver a letter for someone.”
Big Yellow wagged its tail and got up from the ground, leading Jiu Hui and Zhi You into the house.
The Luo family courtyard was cleaned very cleanly. After entering the house, it was discovered that the house was a bit dim. An old woman sat by the bed, silently shedding tears.
“Thirty years have passed…”
“I wonder how my Shiyi, my Shiyi… is doing…”
The old man on the bed had sparse hair and spoke incoherently, probably because he was delirious from illness.
“Woof woof.” Dahuang barked, finally getting the attention of the old woman who was shedding tears, Jiu Hui and Zhi You.
“May I ask who you two are…” The old woman stood up, wiping away her tears.
“I’m Luo Shiyi’s friend.” Jiu Hui walked to the bedside, reached out to check Luo Laoqi’s pulse, and sent a little spiritual energy into his body. “It’s just a common cold, nothing serious. Shiyi asked me to bring you some medicine to replenish your body. Take one pill and you’ll be fine.”
“Luo Shiyi, are you talking about Shiyi?” The delirious Luo Laoqi suddenly opened his eyes wide. His eyes were filled with boundless brilliance. He desperately grabbed Jiu Hui’s sleeve. “Is the young lady talking about my Shiyi?”
“Yes, it’s your Luo Shiyi.” Jiu Hui didn’t take her sleeve out of the old man’s hand. She took out the letter Shiyi had written to his parents with one hand, as well as the silver, medicinal herbs, pills, cloth, and books that Shiyi had prepared in advance, and handed them to the two old people one by one.
“These… are all from Shiyi?” The old woman wiped away her tears. “That day, the immortal from the sect said that after entering the sect, we could not contact our relatives in the mortal world. Will Shiyi be punished for bringing us these things?”
“Immortal, please take these things back with you. We can’t let Shiyi get into trouble.” The woman clutched the letter tightly. “Please, Immortal.”
“Don’t worry, Elders. No one else knows about today’s events.” Jiu Hui knew what the two of them wanted to hear the most, so she told them everything about Shiyi’s recent situation.
For example, he was talented, his cultivation advanced quickly, and he was close to the next Sect Master of the Jiutian Sect, etc.
“How tall is he now? Is he fat or thin?” The old woman couldn’t help but ask, “Does he like the food in Jiutian Sect? Has anyone bullied him over the years?”
“He is handsome, tall, and has a good appetite. He can eat three big bowls of rice in one meal.” Jiu Hui didn’t tell them that the disciples of the Jiutian Sect were obsessed with swordsmanship and mostly ate bigu pills. She only told them about Shiyi’s life in Taolin City: “He has a good personality, is honest, kind, and very likable.”
“That’s good, that’s good.” The old woman caressed the envelope, muttering incessantly, “He’s grown up well, and he’s eating well.”
“Shiyi has important matters to attend to and can’t leave for now. When there’s an opportunity in the future, I’ll bring him back to visit you,” Jiu Hui said to the two elders. “You must take good care of yourselves so that when Shiyi returns, he won’t have to worry about you.”
“Old man, did you hear that? You have to take good care of your health.” The old woman was so happy that she cried. “Girl, can Shiyi really come back?”
“Of course.” Jiu Hui lowered her voice. “But this matter must not be spread. If anyone asks in the future, you can say that you once saved a traveler who was on the verge of starvation. I came here today to express my gratitude on behalf of that traveler.”
“Many thanks, Immortal, many thanks.” The old woman choked up and was about to kneel down to kowtow to Jiu Hui, but Jiu Hui helped her up.
Meanwhile, Zhi You pressed down on the old man who wanted to get out of bed and kowtow.
“We are friends with Shiyi, and you two are Shiyi’s parents. How can you kneel before us?” Jiu Hui helped the old woman to sit down by the bed. “We must leave Tianhe City before nightfall. If there’s anything you need me to pass on to Shiyi, please feel free to give it to me.”
The old woman caressed the letter in her hand. Neither she nor the old man could read, so they didn’t know what Shiyi had written in the letter.
“Grandpa, Grandma.” A child’s voice called out from outside the courtyard.
“Xiaobao, there are honored guests visiting your grandparents. You can’t go and bother them.”
“What distinguished guest? Father, Mother, why are you standing in the courtyard and not going inside?”
Jiu Hui got up and opened the window, leaning out to wave at the child. “Little one, it’s been a year. How’s your calligraphy coming along?”
The child looked at the woman outside the window and clutched the schoolbag on his body in fright: “You, why are you here?”
Could she have come to take Dahuang away?
He quickly turned his head to look for Dahuang’s figure, and only relaxed when he saw it cowering behind the door with its tail between its legs.
“All of you, come in.” Jiu Hui glanced at Dahuang, who was cowering behind the main door. “Dahuang, come over here too.”
The three people and a dog lined up and walked into the house obediently.
“Father, you’re alright?!” The middle-aged man saw that his father’s complexion had returned to a healthy red, and he was no longer coughing. He was so happy that he repeatedly thanked Jiu Hui: “Thank you, Immortal, thank you, Immortal!”
“Erlang, you’ve read books, read this letter to us.”
Jiu Hui stood up and handed the scroll hidden in her sleeve to the old woman. Shiyi had said that if his parents read the letter, she should give them the scroll with Shiyi’s likeness.
She tugged on Zhi You’s sleeve, leading him out of the house. The gourd vines in the courtyard had climbed up the trellis, and the two sat down at the stone table under the trellis.
The Luo family’s house was built solidly, but Jiu Hui and Zhi You, who had cultivation bases, could still hear the Luo family’s second son reading the letter haltingly.
“When we parted that day, did you fall while chasing after the flying boat?”
“Father and mother, do not worry about me. I am doing well. It is just that my appearance has changed since I was eight. I do not know if you will be able to recognize me. I have asked someone to paint a portrait. If you miss me, you can open it and take a look…”
“My child has no expectations, only that my father and mother will be healthy and well, and enjoy their old age without illness or worry…”
Jiu Hui looked up at the gourds growing on the trellis and sighed softly.
The lifespans of immortal cultivators and ordinary people were worlds apart. Embarking on the path of immortal cultivation meant sending off loved ones one after another, eventually becoming the aloof and inscrutable “immortals” in the eyes of ordinary people.
She set up a barrier, isolating the Luo family’s voices outside the barrier.
About half an hour later, the Luo family’s second son came out with red eyes, carrying his wife and children. All three of them were carrying large bundles in their hands.
“Immortal, Immortal Master.” The Luo family’s second son put the package on the stone table. “I didn’t know that Shiyi was my elder brother. Please forgive me, Immortal.”
He only knew that he had an older brother, but everyone outside said that his older brother had died in an accident when he was one year old. However, he never expected that his older brother had actually joined a cultivation sect.
Shiyi, that was the name of the elder brother.
“These clothes were made by my mother according to my measurements, using the best fabric in the house. If Big Brother doesn’t mind, he can wear them as a nightgown.” The Luo family’s second son didn’t know what taboos there were in the cultivation sect, so he opened the package and let Jiu Hui check it.
Jiu Hui saw that there were handkerchiefs, socks, and shoes in the bundle, in addition to clothes. She wondered how long the old woman had kept them after making them.
“Mother said that when Big Brother was little, he loved to eat the red tofu that we made at home. This jar of red tofu…” The Luo family’s second son probably felt a little embarrassed asking the immortal to take such a humble offering, but he still forced himself to say, “I would be grateful if you would take this, Immortal.”
“It smells so good.” Jiu Hui leaned in to take a whiff. “When we get back, I’ll share it with Shiyi.”
Hearing this, the unease on the Luo family’s second son’s face gradually dissipated. He opened the other two packages, which contained some food and gadgets, as well as a thick letter.
“Immortal, your great kindness and virtue are beyond my ability to repay. Please, Immortal, accept a bow from this humble one.” The Luo family’s second son knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Jiu Hui. As he prepared to kowtow a second time, Jiu Hui stopped him.
“Shiyi and I are friends. He already thanked me before I came.” Jiu Hui lifted the Luo family’s second son from the ground. She put these things into her storage ring, reached out and touched the child’s head: “Ugly-handwriting kid, remember to study hard, practice your handwriting well. Next time I come, I will check your handwriting.”
The child looked distressed but dared not argue back.
Amused by his wrinkled little face, Jiu Hui stood up. “Alright, I should go now.”
“Dahuang,” she beckoned to Dahuang. When it came closer, she reached out to pat its head and the dog tag around its neck, saying with a faint smile, “You have to be good, understand?”
Dahuang wagged its tail so fast that it created an afterimage.
“What a good doggy.” Jiu Hui chuckled softly. She glanced at the old man’s room. “Rest assured, I will definitely deliver the item safely to Shiyi. Farewell.”
She and Zhi You turned around and walked to the courtyard gate. Behind them, the old man’s urgent voice came, “Immortal, please stay.”
Jiu Hui stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the two elders. She saw them supporting each other as they walked out of the room. They walked under the gourd trellis, stood on their tiptoes, and carefully selected the most beautiful gourd to pick.
“That year, Shiyi wanted to pick the gourd, but I saw that the gourd hadn’t grown yet, so I didn’t let him pick it.” The old man’s hands trembled as he carefully wiped the dust off the gourd. He held the gourd and walked up to Jiu Hui. “If I had known that he would join the immortal sect and that we wouldn’t be able to see each other for thirty years, I would have let him pick it.”
Thirty years later, this mature and perfect gourd was finally handed to Jiu Hui.
“Immortal, please give this to Shiyi.”
“Okay.”
Jiu Hui accepted the gourd with both hands and reverently placed it in her storage ring. She bowed to the two elders. “Please take care of yourselves, elders. I will come back to visit you again.”
“It doesn’t matter if he can’t come back, as long as he’s okay.”
After leaving the Luo family, Jiu Hui turned her head to look at the silent Zhi You, and reached out to hold his wrist. “Zhi You.”
“Hmm?” Zhi You obediently turned his head to look at him, his eyes clear and bright.
“Let’s go, Little Senior Sister will take you to play with the baby of the Iron-Eating Beast.” Jiu Hui held his wrist without letting go: “The baby of the Iron-Eating Beast clan is so much fun.”
“Hmm.” Zhi You felt the warmth on his wrist.
“Let’s go.” Jiu Hui took Zhi You onto the flying sword. “Little Senior Sister will show you all the great rivers and mountains in the world.”
-—–
Zhenxing Tower.
The four Elders looked at the chaotic jumble of sect jade tokens and suddenly saw the vicious dog symbol in the corner disappear.
“The vicious dog of the north have disappeared……”
Elder Bai watched this scene in astonishment. “What happened?”
Elder Hei glanced at it and said casually, “Maybe the dog was killed by someone. That’s a good thing.”
“The calamity has begun, and the prophecy is in chaos again.” Elder Bai said in a daze, “Perhaps fate… has long been in chaos.”
“That’s not good.” Elder Hei said with an expressionless face. “The Mandate of Heaven wants all living beings to perish. Now that the Mandate of Heaven is in chaos, all living beings have a glimmer of hope.”
“There’s no such simple thing.”
“It’s just a matter of life and death.” Elder Hei reached out and brushed over the sect’s jade tokens. “Since we only have a bad hand, let’s not play by the rules.”
The jade tokens made clinking sounds as they collided, like a swarm of headless flies.
“A message from the Jiutian Sect.” Elder Hong entered with a jade slip in hand. “The young master of the yaos has infiltrated the human realm. The Ten Great Sects hope that we can divine his location.”
The four Elders exhausted their spiritual power to make calculations, and the results they calculated made their moods very complicated.
Wasn’t the young master of the yao clan in the yao territory? What kind of rumors was the Jiutian Sect spreading?
Author’s Note
Panda* Cub: Okay, okay, okay. You coax the little Junior Brother to be happy, and then you come to catch me, right?
TN: reminder that the iron-eating beasts are pandas!
The legendary young master of the yao clan: able to stop children from crying at night, of noble status, arrogant and unruly, and ruthless in actions.
Little Garlic Chive: Ah?!
Zhi You: Others may have parents, but I have my Little Senior Sister~
[Friendly reminder from Little Garlic Chive: The child and Dahuang appear in Chapters 5 and 6, and the prophecy about the vicious dog is in Chapter 9]